Genetic Chile

Published time: 22 May, 2013 14:10 Edited time: 21 Jul, 2013 07:59

AFP Photo / Saeed Khan / AFP

A look at the world of genetically modified foods through the lens of New Mexico's iconic chili pepper. The chili pepper defines New Mexican cuisine, and is considered a sacred plant in many cultures. Despite overwhelming evidence of gene flow, persistent safety questions, potential economic damage and predatory behavior by multinational agribusiness corporations, the State of New Mexico funded research to produce a GMO chili – the first time a state government directly targeted a crop for genetic modification. Because the funding is public, we were able to force a rare interview with a genetic researcher at NMSU. This film is packed with information about the harmful uses of GMO technology, and the ignorance shown by proponents of GMO crops.